Public schools urged to keep graduation rites simple

MANILA, Philippines - Public schools across the country should keep next month’s graduation rites simple, Education Secretary Armin Luistro urged yesterday.

“While graduation rites mark a milestone for every learner, we should keep it prudent and economical,” he said.

Luistro also reminded schools of the “no collection” policy on graduation fees.

He said the collection of graduation fee should not be a hindrance for students who cannot afford to pay for graduation rites.

All private and public elementary and secondary schools nationwide are also advised to strictly comply with the requirements for graduation, Luistro said.

“Non-academic activities such as attendance to field trips and JS Promenade should not be imposed as a prerequisite to graduation,” Luistro stressed.

The Department of Education (DepEd) had set the schedule of graduation for all public elementary and high schools in the country on March 27 and 28.

In Eastern Visayas, one of the regions hardest-hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda last year, the school year 2013-2014 ends on April 7 and summer classes start on April 8.

“The division offices are given the leeway to set a one-day simultaneous closing rites and one-day graduation rites,” DepEd Region 8 director Luisa Bautista-Yu said.

Luistro said the theme for this year’s graduation is “Hindi Natitinag ang Pusong Pilipino” to pay homage to the resilience of the Filipino spirit and its triumphs over the recent string of calamities over the school year.

“Extravagant attires and venues are not necessary to make an impression; the important thing is we send the message of nationalism, excellence and resilience to every graduate,” he said.